________________
Chapter 16: Guru's Exposition about the Path and Means of Liberation
Conclusions of all the enlightened ones are covered herein;
so saying, the Guru assumed silence and got absorbed in innate ecstasy.
- 118
Explanation & Discussion:
Whatever the Guru has said is based on the precepts and doctrines laid down by all the enlightened entities. He has neither added nor subtracted therefrom. As a matter of fact, there is only one path of liberation. It is therefore said here that all the enlightened ones have only one opinion. Their knowledge converges in what has been said here. The Guru has now nothing more to say. As an enlightened entity, he is used to staying within himself. He had opted to speak only for the sake of the pupil. That work now being over, he has adopted silence and assumed the state of innate ecstasy.
Jain Education International
212
Ecstasy denotes the state of beatitude. There are various levels of that state. When one experiences peace of mind on account of health, or freedom from worry, etc., that can also be termed as ecstasy. Such ecstasy is, however, dependent upon some external factors and is not therefore innate. When ecstasy prevails of its own accord without any specific reason, it is termed as innate. That automatically occurs in the delusion-free state. Here the Guru assumes such innate ecstasy. This completes the third and final group of this chapter, containing five stanzas (# 114-118) describing the purity of the soul and liberation.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
